Postgame Singletary

On Saturday we said with the way the 49ers set up the season, they are depending on Mike Singletary to get them wins since they didn’t change their starting lineups. So here’s a closer look at Singletary in the 49ers opening game win against in Arizona.

MOTIVATION: Here Singletary gets all A’s. Who knows how he does it. But before the 49ers went on their 15-play, fourth quarter touchdown drive, Singletary met with his offensive line and running back Frank Gore. Then when his defense was completely gassed and on the verge of being demoralized, Singletary called a timeout to disrupt the Cardinals offensive rhythm almost like a basketball timeout. According to cornerback Shawntae Spencer said Singletary told his group, “It’s time.” Meaning it was time to make a play and it was time to dig deep just like the players did to survive training camp.

DIRECTION: Under Singletary, the 49ers instituted a fairly basic approaches on offense and defense with the thinking that they not make mistakes. They didn’t, meanwhile Kurt Warner threw two interceptions and the Cardinals constantly took themselves out of good situations with several penalties.

SCHEME: The Cardinals are not the ’85 Bears, in fact they were one of the worst teams in pass defense last year. But the 49ers didn’t take advantage, even when they couldn’t run the ball. It’s great to be stubborn, but when things are not working for an entire half, it’s time to try something different. The 49ers might have defeated Arizona fairly easily if they had gone to the pass earlier.

PLAY-CALLING: Building on the scheme question, it seems evident the 49ers are going to be very conservative. When backed up on their 3, when it’s 3rd-and-7, and the 49ers are in the shotgun, and with Shaun Hill who just got through throwing your way into the lead, and you run a draw? Something you did repeatedly in preseason? As Chad Johnson would say, “Child, Please!”